Patient Parma peak on cue

Parma FC saved their best performance in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup group stage for the final matchday, coming from behind to hand Besiktas JK a 3-2 defeat at the Ennio Tardini stadium and advance to the competition's Round of 32.

Maiden victory
The result ended a turbulent week for the Italian side who turned to Pietro Carmignani for a second time as their head coach. Victory provided Carmignani with the ideal start in the hot-seat although survival in Serie A is sure to be the club's objective for the remainder of the season. However, Parma did it the hard way, coming back from a goal down before scoring on three occasions and ultimately profiting from R. Standard de Liège's capitulation to Athletic Club Bilbao to claim third position and a place in tomorrow's draw.

Okan opener
The visitors scored with their first meaningful attack of the opening period when Sergen Yalçin's low shot from outside the penalty area was parried by goalkeeper Gianluca Berti into the path of Okan Buruk, who made no mistake from close range. The goal unsettled the home side, but they managed to fashion an equaliser with their first chance of the game after 17 minutes.

Gilardino leveller
Alessandro Rosina's through-ball found Alberto Gilardino, who had beaten the Besiktas offside trap, and he fired the ball with the outside of his right foot past Ramazan Kursunlu. Parma were given the opportunity to take the lead after 25 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Daniele Degano was upended by Fatih Sonkaya inside the box following a counterattacking move, but Gilardino's weak spot-kick was saved by Ramazan low to his right.

Parma lead
The visitors almost restored their lead three minutes later but the unmarked Mustafa Dogan headed Okan's free-kick over the crossbar. The miss was to prove costly as Parma scored the third goal of an otherwise low-tempo first period after 36 minutes when Giuseppe Cardone headed Rosina's corner past Ramazan.

Home insurance
With Besiktas chasing the game in the second half, Parma were content to soak up the Turkish side's pressure in order to launch fleet counterattacks. Gilardino set up Fabio Simplicio with a clever back-heel, but the midfield player failed to hit the target from a promising position.

Budel profligacy
Carmignani's side found their range on the hour when Degano shot in from outside of the penalty area following Gilardino's pass. The home side were now in control, and Alessandro Budel twice tested Ramazan with long-range shots before a desperate sliding tackle from Emre Asik denied Gilardino a clear shot on goal.

Late consolation
Besiktas eventually reduced the deficit two minutes from time when Tümer Metin fired past Berti with an impressive effort from outside the penalty area, but the midfield player wasted a wonderful opportunity moments later when shooting wide of the target from six metres as Carmignani's side held on.